Township life
Green wedge country
The township is inside the Whittlesea green wedge, and more than 70 per cent of the City of Whittlesea is rural. Around town, rural residential estates step down into farmland.
Buildings from 1860 onwards
Council says early heritage buildings still stand here, with some residences and ruins from the first pastoral settlements. Old timber and additions built at different times give any inspector more to look at.
Rabbits are a landowner's duty
The European Rabbit is a declared established pest animal, and council says all land owners must take all reasonable steps to stop its spread. Pest businesses vary on whether they do this work, so ask.
Wasp nests
Local laws here say a wasp nest can't remain on your premises. On a bigger block that means looking along sheds and fence lines as well as the lawn, from a safe distance.
Termite treatment and old timber
If you've found damaged timber or thin mud tubes, stop there and leave them be. CSIRO says several control options rely on finding active termites. An inspector will want to see the whole property: the house, sheds, stumps, retaining walls and old timber lying on the ground.
Treatment depends on what they find, so ask for a written report first, then a plan that names the product and any follow-up. Victoria's Department of Health says termite work needs the general authorisation including timber pests on the technician's licence, so it's fair to ask. Our termite treatment page covers the options.
Rodent control on a bigger block
Feed bins, chook pens and sheds give rats and mice everything they need. Council says they move indoors for food and shelter, particularly during winter. Sealed feed containers and a tidy shed floor will do more than most people expect. If the numbers keep up, a pest controller can walk the property and tell you what they'd do. The Melbourne rat and mouse page explains how those visits usually run.
Before a technician drives out
- Tell them the block size and which sheds or outbuildings need checking.
- Mention dams, tanks and any stock or poultry.
- Point out heritage or very old timber you don't want drilled or disturbed.
- Ask about any call-out fee for the distance, up front.
What we'd do about pests in Whittlesea
We'd get the old timber inspected first, because it's the one problem you can't see from the driveway. For anything else, tap what you've found and your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
